Former umpire Gregg, 55, dies after stroke

Tuesday

Jun 6, 2006 at 12:01 AM

BY DAN GELSTONAP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA - Former major league umpire Eric Gregg, known for his big personality, extra-wide strike zone and oversized frame, died Monday night, a day after he was hospitalized with a stroke. He was 55.
"I want him to be remembered as someone who loved the game of baseball, someone who was determined to make it no matter what," his son, Kevin Gregg, told The Associated Press.
Gregg, whose struggles with weight problems saw him reach almost 400 pounds, told family members Sunday morning at his home in Ardmore, Pa., that he couldn't feel anything on his left side. He was hospitalized and died at 6:45 p.m. Monday.
Gregg called his first game in 1975 and became a member of the NL staff in 1978.
He worked the 1989 World Series, four championship series, two division series and one All-Star game.
"He was so determined to be in the game and he got there," Kevin Gregg said.
In 1999, Gregg was among 22 umpires who lost their jobs when their plan to use mass resignations as a way to force early contract negotiations backfired. He was given $400,000 in 2004 when he and five other umpires were given severance pay and benefits.
"When he realized he couldn't go back to work, it took a lot out of him," Kevin Gregg said. "To this day, I think it was sometimes painful for him to watch games."
Kevin Gregg recalled his father's days as a high school catcher, when a coach told him he was too big to play and wasn't ever going to be good enough.
"He had the mentality of, 'Damn that, I'm still going to be involved," Gregg said.
Gregg said his dad saw a commercial for umpiring school and decided that's how he would make it to the major leagues.
"He was my friend, and I'll miss him," umpire Jerry Crawford, in tears, said before working the Marlins-Giants game in San Francisco. "He was a very good umpire. He loved the game. He was a funny guy. He had a great time at it. He was a terrific partner. He loved his kids. I loved the guy."
With his wide smile, gregarious personality and lively stories, Gregg remained a fixture around Philadelphia. He worked at a popular sports bar as a bartender, host, and waiter, and poured beers at the bar's concessions stand at Citizens Bank Park.
In early March, he had his right knee replaced and was taking blood thinners to prevent clots.
Manager Michael Herron saw Gregg on Saturday night, and said the former ump was looking and feeling great. Herron said Gregg had lost some weight because of the knee rehabilitation, had changed his diet and had stopped drinking.
"He looked as good as I've seen him," Herron said. "He always talked about how he was rehabbing and things were great. He was doing well."
The 6-foot-3 Gregg was often criticized for calling strikes too wide.
Gregg is survived by his wife, Ramona, and three other children: Eric, Ashley and Jamie.